The Navy is providing free phone cards to sailors and Marines aboard its ships that are deployed away from their home ports this holiday season. (MC3 Daniel Barker / Navy)

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. — The Navy is providing free phone cards to sailors and Marines aboard its ships that are deployed away from their home ports this holiday season.

The Navy Exchange Service Command says the $10 phone cards will be given to sailors and Marines aboard 40 ships and submarines.

The Navy expects to distribute nearly 35,000 free phone cards during the holidays.

The prepaid phone cards can be used in the United States or any foreign port where AT&T has a presence. They can also be used via the Afloat Personal Telecommunications Service system and the ship’s Plain Old Telephone System.